Senators: action on climate, clean energy urgent

[ProSense]

Senators: action on climate, clean energy urgent

By H. JOSEF HEBERT and DINA CAPPIELLO, Associated Press Writers

WASHINGTON – Senators tussled over the cost of climate legislation Tuesday with the leading author of the bill maintaining that while energy prices will increase, inaction on global warming would cause even worse economic and security problems.

"Are there some costs? Yes sir, there are some costs," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. But of the array of studies that show restricting greenhouse gases will lead to higher energy prices, he said, "none of them factor in the cost of doing nothing."

Kerry was the leadoff witness as the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee began a series of marathon hearings this week on a bill that would cap greenhouse gas pollution from power plants and large industrial facilities. The bill aims to reduce emissions 80 percent by mid-century. Kerry is an author of the legislation.

During a stop at a solar energy site in Florida, President Barack Obama warned that opponents, whom he did not identify, would work against the climate bill. "The closer we get to this new energy future, the harder the opposition's going to fight," he said, dismissing criticism that the legislation will harm the economy or cost jobs.

<...>

"Not taking action is more expensive," said Kerry. He said a curb on fossil fuel use will lead to clean energy jobs and allow the United States to develop new technologies that otherwise would likely be developed by other countries including China.

"America's leadership is on the line here," Kerry said.

link

Video: Kerry smacks down Inhofe’s lies about the cost of climate policy